#MeToo boosts sales at mind training firm
A MANAGEMENT training firm set up by friends of David Cameron is cashing in on the wave of #MeToo protests against sexual harassment.
With worried companies seeking advice on how to prevent future scandals, Mind Gym said it gained 11 clients after a series of allegations emerged against high-profile figures such as Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.
The flurry of new business helped drive sales up 13.5pc to £19.4m in the six months to the end of September.
However, in its first set of results since joining the stock market in June, profits fell 60pc to £1.1m due to fees and employee share payments associated with the company’s float. The #MeToo movement emerged in October 2017 soon after allegations against Weinstein went public. Social media users shared their experiences of sexual alleged harassment, hashtagged #MeToo.
Since then chief executive Octavius Black, who was at Eton with former PM Mr Cameron, said firms had sought advice and sent staff to workshops to help prevent sexism, harassment and bullying.
The 50-year-old said: ‘It is one of a range of issues that has left some businesses feeling a little flat-footed, culturally speaking.’